Is the 2020 BMW 8 SERIES reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of BMW 8 SERIESs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 1,213 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2020 BMW 8 SERIES cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,695 (£141/month), including £1245 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 BMW 8 SERIES?

The 2020 BMW 8 SERIES has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 1,213 tests in 2026. This ranks 1004 out of 2596 cars from 2020.

Which year BMW 8 SERIES is most reliable?

The 2018 BMW 8 SERIES has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 2021 at 92%.

BMW 8 SERIES (2020)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2020 BMW 8 SERIES?

The average mileage for a 2020 BMW 8 SERIES is 32,628 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,213 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,695

£141/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2993cc Diesel

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1695/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Diesel2993cc6 years old1,213 tests33k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2993cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,695

Per month£141/mo

Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 6 years old, 93% of BMW 8 SERIESs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,213 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 32,628 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars1004th of 2,596(top 39%)

Rank among BMW models362th of 1,564(top 23%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 2020 cars average+1%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+5%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

32,628

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 BMW 8 SERIES has 32,628 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 92%. The 2020 sits between the two at 93%.

BMW 8 SERIES by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	93%	30	13,258 mi
2021	92%	325	28,831 mi
2020	93%	1,213	32,628 mi
2019	92%	3,463	36,578 mi
2018	94%	659	42,474 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES E

2019 · 2925cc Diesel

£1,690/year

90%

-3%

MERCEDES GLC

2018 · 2987cc Diesel

£1,690/year

91%

-2%

FORD RANGER

2019 · 3198cc Diesel

£1,840/year

87%

-6%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER VELAR

2018 · 2993cc Diesel

£1,690/year

91%

-2%

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About the 2020 BMW 8 SERIES

The 2020 BMW 8 SERIES is a premium performance with a 2993cc diesel engine. 1,213 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 32,628 miles at 6 years old, BMW 8 SERIES owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2020 BMW 8 SERIES Fuel Costs

The 2993cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2020 BMW 8 SERIES?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,695 (£141/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW 8 SERIES Reliability Trend

The BMW 8 SERIES has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2020 BMW 8 SERIES

At 6 years old, the BMW 8 SERIES offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 BMW 8 SERIES's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Medium risk

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2020 BMW 8 SERIES stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW 8 SERIES(2020)	93%	£1245	£195	Grp 30-42	£1695
MERCEDES E(2019)	90%	£1245	£190	Grp 30-42	£1690-£5
MERCEDES GLC(2018)	91%	£1245	£190	Grp 30-42	£1690-£5
FORD RANGER(2019)	87%	£1245	£190	Grp 35-50	£1840+£145
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER VELAR(2018)	91%	£1245	£190	Grp 30-42	£1690-£5

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.